Hospital for Special Surgery's chief of spine service Frank Cammisa, MD, advised New York Giants running back David Wilson after he experienced adverse symptoms from a neck injury, according to a My San Antonio report.
Here are five things to know about the surgery:
1. Mr. Wilson previously underwent a spinal fusion to repair vertebrae and a herniated disc in January and then re-injured himself during practice last week. Dr. Cammisa performed the procedure. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis last year and missed 11 games in the 2013 season.
2. This second spine injury will end Mr. Wilson's career. Dr. Cammisa advised him against returning to play.
3. New York Giants team physician Russell Warren, MD, also consulted with Mr. Wilson. The final decision was made after Mr. Wilson reported a collision that caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.
4. Despite his career ending, Mr. Wilson doesn't want others to feel sorry for him, according to a statement the team released. "I lived my dream," he said of his two seasons in the National Football League. "A lot of people only get to dream their dream. I lived that. Now I have a chance to dream another dream and live that, too."
5. Mr. Wilson is not expected to require additional surgery or therapy.